plate no. 7678

Lighthouse in Balchik

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapebuildinglighthouseskyseaarchitecturelandscape

some experience helpful

This painting is great for practicing color mixing to achieve muted tones and learning how to create texture with visible brushstrokes. Students can also learn about simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the lighthouse, buildings, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin layer of blue and gray.
step 03
Establish the basic colors of the buildings using a mix of ochre, white, and a touch of brown.
step 04
Paint the sea with a muted blue, adding subtle variations in tone.
step 05
Add details to the lighthouse, focusing on its cylindrical shape and the small blue roof.
step 06
Define the windows and roof tiles with darker tones.
step 07
Use short, broken brushstrokes to create texture on the buildings and ground.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and depth.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · raw sienna · cadmium yellow

Mix white with ochre and a touch of umber for the building walls. Use ultramarine blue with white and a touch of gray for the sky. Muted greens can be achieved by mixing yellow ochre and ultramarine blue.

techniques